Sugar beet growers have the opportunity to hear the latest thinking on EU sugar policy as well as discuss the common challenges faced by other sugar producers at a global event being held for the first time in the UK.

Common challenges include increasing energy costs, climate change and the public perception of sugar by the increasingly health conscious consumer.

These are set to be discussed at the 10th World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG) conference hosted by the NFU on 19-22 July in Cambridge.

The association represents more than 5m cane growers and 650,000 beet growers from five continents.

Other topics to be tackled include sugar and ethanol markets, contracting practices, sugar exports to the EU and sugar beet for biogas production. There will also be a series of half and full day technical tours to Broom’s Barn and British Sugar.

NFU sugar board chairman, William Martin said: “This conference provides a unique forum for leaders of beet and cane growing organisations worldwide to meet and discuss common interests, challenges and solutions. All the key players and most of the world’s sugar producers will be there and our speakers include experts from Brazil, Australia, India, South Africa and Europe.

“Nowhere else do growers have such good access to sugar and ethanol experts and representatives of equivalent organisations from around the world.”

UK beet growers can attend all or part of this year’s conference, free of charge, simply by registering a place via the dedicated website www.wabcg10.com or by contacting the NFU on 024 7685 8616.